[wintertime]

23. We believe that the Church is necessary for salvation, because Christ, who is the sole mediator and way of salvation, renders Himself present for us in His body which is the Church. But the divine design of salvation embraces all men; and those who without fault on their part do not know the Gospel of Christ and His Church, but seek God sincerely, and under the influence of grace endeavor to do His will as recognized through the promptings of their conscience, they, in a number known only to God, can obtain salvation.

So?..Does this mean that all former Catholics are condemned to hell because they left the church because they have concluded that it is corrupt and in error? Do you see how such a teaching above is cult-like in its emotional manipulation?

[Arthur McGowan]

No. If they are sincerely following the promptings of their conscience, of course they are not damned.

I.e., some who leave the Catholic Church may be saved, others who leave the Catholic Church may be damned. Everything depends on their intellectual honesty.